Luminaire system with thermal chimney effect

Abstract

A luminaire system having an elongated throughway utilizing a thermal chimney effect. The thermal chimney effect within the throughway circulates air to remove heat generated from the electrical components of the system. Dissipating heat into the throughway from the electrical components can increase the life expectancy of the lamp and the output of the lamp. The electrical components of the system being entirely sealed and isolated from the throughway results in a permanent air, dust, and water tight seal. The seal can minimize damage to the electrical components of the system as well as prevent the build up of moisture and dust within these sealed components.

1 . A LED based lighting fixture comprising:
 an elongated substantially vertical LED support arm;   a cooling channel formed by a substantially vertical elongated shaft extending from a first opening through said support arm to a second opening through said support arm, said first opening being in flow communication with said second opening and being positioned vertically above said second opening;   at least one LED panel coupled to said elongated shaft exteriorly of said elongated shaft, said at least one LED panel externally sealed from said elongated shaft and substantially sealed from external contaminants, said LED panel positioned adjacent to said elongated shaft and being positioned entirely between said first opening and said second opening, wherein said LED panel is not in fluid communication with said elongated shaft while maintaining thermal conductivity with said elongated shaft;   whereby a natural unforced cooling convection flow of air passes into said second opening and through said cooling channel to exit at said first opening, thereby cooling said at least one LED panel when said at least one LED panel is in operation.   
     
     
         2 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  further comprising a heat sink in thermal contact with said at least one LED panel and said shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein said heat sink includes one or more fins projecting inside said cooling channel and in fluid communication with said cooling convection flow. 
     
     
         4 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein said at least one LED panel is positioned substantially parallel with said elongated shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein said at least one LED panel is positioned substantially perpendicular with said elongated shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein said at least one LED panel surrounds at least a majority of a portion of said elongated shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein said elongated shaft is substantially separate from said support arm. 
     
     
         8 . A LED based lighting fixture comprising:
 a LED support arm having a first opening proximate a first end of said support arm and a second opening proximate a second opposite end of said support arm;   a cooling channel formed by a chimney extending within said support arm and connecting said first opening to said second opening;   a plurality of LEDs adjacent and external to said chimney and positioned entirely between said first opening and said second opening of said support arm, wherein said LEDs are in thermal contact with said chimney but not in fluid communication with said chimney, and wherein said LEDS are substantially sealed from an external environment and substantially sealed from said chimney; and   a heatsink in thermal contact with said plurality of said LEDs and said chimney, said heatsink including at least one fin projecting inside said cooling channel;   an electrical housing in thermal contact with said chimney but not in fluid communication with said chimney, said electrical housing enclosing at least one LED driver electrically coupled to said LEDs;   whereby a cooling convection flow of air passes into said second opening and through said cooling channel to exit at said first opening when said plurality of LEDs are in operation, thereby passing over said at least one fin and cooling said plurality of LEDs.   
     
     
         9 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 8  wherein said LEDs are arranged substantially parallel with at least an immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel. 
     
     
         10 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 9  wherein said LEDs are arranged substantially perpendicular with a non-immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel. 
     
     
         11 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 8  wherein said LEDs are positioned substantially perpendicular with at least an immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel. 
     
     
         12 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 11  wherein said LEDs surround at least a majority of said immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel. 
     
     
         13 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of said LEDs are directed toward a reflector. 
     
     
         14 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 8  wherein said cooling channel is substantially separate from said support arm. 
     
     
         15 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 8  wherein said cooling channel is at least partially defined by said support arm. 
     
     
         16 . A LED based lighting fixture comprising:
 a support arm having an elongated cooling channel connecting a first opening adjacent an upper end of said support arm to a second opening adjacent a lower end of said support arm;   an illumination region having a plurality of LEDs externally sealed from and adjacent to said elongated cooling channel, wherein said LEDs are not in fluid communication with said elongated cooling channel while being thermally connected to said elongated cooling channel; wherein said LEDs directly or indirectly illuminate an illumination area;   an electrical component housing powering said LED panel and sealed from and exterior to said elongated cooling channel, wherein said electrical component housing encloses at least one LED driver and is not in fluid communication with said elongated cooling channel while being thermally connected to said elongated cooling channel;   whereby a cooling convection flow of air passes into said second opening and through said elongated cooling channel and exits at said first opening, thereby cooling said LEDs and said electrical component housing that are thermally connected with said elongated cooling channel when said LEDs are in operation.   
     
     
         17 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 16  wherein said LEDs are positioned substantially parallel with at least an immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel. 
     
     
         18 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 17  wherein a majority of said LEDs directly illuminate said illumination area. 
     
     
         19 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 16  wherein a plurality of said LEDs are directed toward a reflector. 
     
     
         20 . The LED based lighting fixture of  claim 19  wherein said LEDs surround at least a majority of an immediately adjacent portion of said cooling channel.